Meta-(phenylalkoxy)phenyl-N-methoxy-N-methylurea compounds, methods for preparing same and herbicidal use thereof

ABSTRACT

There are provided certain substituted phenylalkoxyphenylurea compounds, methods for the preparation thereof, and methods for the selective control of dicotyledonous and certain monocotyledonous plants in the presence of agronomic crops.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 152,879 filed May 23, 1980 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,213, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 30,676, filed Apr. 16, 1979, now abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to herbicidal urea compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X is selected from O, S, SO and SO₂ ; Q is O or S; Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₂ -C₅ alkenyl, C₂ -C₅ alkynyl, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, CH₃ S, CH₃ SO₂, CF₃, CN, NO₂, NH₂, C₁ -C₃ alkylamino, ##STR2## OCF₃ and OCF₂ Cl; Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, halogen, CF₃ and NO₂ ; U is hydrogen, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, C₁ -C₃ alkoxy or halogen; A represents a C₂ -C₆ carbon chain which may be saturated or unsaturated, and is optionally monosubstituted with C₁ -C₃ alkyl, C₁ -C₃ alkoxy, phenyl, CF₃, CH₃ S, CN, halogen, ##STR3## or is optionally disubstituted wherein one of the substituents is selected from the hereinabove-named groups and the second substituent is selected from C₁ -C₃ alkyl and halogen; or A is a moiety represented by formula: ##STR4## wherein n is an integer from 1 to 5; R is C₁ -C₄ alkyl; R₁ is selected from hydrogen, CH₃ and CHO; R₂ is selected from hydrogen, C₁ -C₂ alkyl, C₃ alkenyl and C₃ alkynyl; R₃ is selected from C₁ -C₃ alkyl, C₃ alkenyl and C₃ alkynyl, with the proviso that one of R₁ and R₂ must be hydrogen or CHO; R₄ and R₅ each are hydrogen or C₁ -C₃ alkyl; R₆ is C₁ -C₃ alkyl.

A preferred group of compounds of formula (I) are those wherein X is O; Q is O; Y and Z each are selected from hydrogen, Cl, F, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, and NO₂ ; U is hydrogen; A is a saturated C₂ -C₄ carbon chain optionally monosubstituted with C₁ -C₂ alkyl, CH₃ O, CH₃ S, CH₃ O₂ S, CN, Br, Cl, F, NHCHO or ##STR5## R₁ is hydrogen or CHO; R₂ and R₃ each are C₁ -C₂ alkyl; R₄ and R₅ each are hydrogen or C₁ -C₃ alkyl.

A more preferred group of compounds of formula (I) is represented by formula (Ia) below: ##STR6## wherein Y is selected from hydrogen, CH₃ and Cl; Z is selected from hydrogen, CH₃, CH₃ O, Cl and F; A is selected from --CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --, ##STR7##

The present invention also relates to methods for the preparation of compounds of formula (I), and to methods for the control of dicotyledonous and certain monocotyledonous plant species using a herbicidally effective amount of a compound of formula (I).

Phenylurea compounds, which may be schematically illustrated by formula (II): ##STR8## wherein R_(a) to R_(c) and X, Y and Z represent various substituents, are known to be herbicides, and a number of patents and published reports attest to their herbitoxic activity. Their use in agriculture is, however, quite limited, and is usually in preemergence applications.

Benzyloxyphenylureas, which may be illustrated by formula (III) below: ##STR9## wherein X, X', Y, Y', Z, Z' and R_(a) to R_(c) are various substituents, are postemergence herbicides, but lack useful agronomic crop selectivity, nor is their herbicidal activity outstanding.

We now find that the novel phenylalkoxyphenylurea compounds of formula (I) of the present invention show not only excellent broadleaf weed control when applied postemergence, but also show an unexpected and useful degree of crop tolerance to wheat, barley, rice, corn, sorghum and soybeans. Crop selectivity may be further modified by applying these compounds to said crops at different growth stages. Additionally, some of the above compounds are also found to control grasses when applied postemergence at rates higher than those used for postemergence control of broadleaved weeds. Furthermore, the above compounds also control broadleaved weeds when applied preemergence.

The compounds of formula (I), wherein X is O and A is C₁ -C₆ alkylene, may be conveniently prepared by the route shown below: ##STR10## wherein Y, Z, U, R₁, R₂, R₃ and A are as hereinabove defined, L is selected from OSO₂ CH₃ or halide. Thus, the appropriately substituted methanesulfonate ester of a phenylalkanol or the corresponding phenalkyl halide of formula (IV) is reacted with a ureidophenol of formula (V) in the presence of an organic or inorganic base, preferably potassium t-butoxide, and a solvent such as dimethylformamide (DMF) in the temperature range of from about 20° C. to about 90° C., and preferably 60° C. to 80° C., for a period of time sufficient to essentially complete the reaction. Hydroxyl groups in Y are preferably suitably protected in the course of this reaction.

Formula (I) compounds, in which the alkylene chain (A) is substituted, may be prepared as follows: ##STR11## wherein Y, Z, U and R₁ to R₃ are as hereinabove defined, and n is an integer of from 1 to 5. The compound of formula (VII) is then hydrolyzed to yield the corresponding benzoylalkoxyphenylurea, as illustrated below: ##STR12##

In the above-depicted sequence, the appropriately substituted 1,3-dioxolane of formula (VI) is reacted with a ureidophenol of formula (V) in the presence of an organic or inorganic base, preferably potassium t-butoxide and a solvent, such as DMF, in the temperature range of from about 20° C. to about 90° C., preferably 50° C. to 80° C., for a period of time sufficient to essentially complete the reaction. The thus-obtained urea of formula (VII) is then hydrolyzed with an aqueous acid, such as hydrochloric acid, to yield a benzoylalkoxyphenylurea of formula (VIII). The benzoylalkoxyphenylurea compounds of formula (VIII) obtained by the above procedure may be reduced by known procedures to the corresponding alcohols, and the latter are valuable intermediates for the preparation of formula (I) compounds in which the alkylene chain (A) is substituted, as defined above.

Compounds of formula (I) containing a formyl group in the R₁ or R₃ positions or a methyl group in the R₁ position are prepared from the appropriate aniline precursors of formula (IX): ##STR13## The above compounds may be obtained from the corresponding ureas by hydrolyzing same with 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide in n-butanol (3:11) at reflux for about 16 hours. Treating the above aniline (IX) with concentrated formic acid yields the formanilide (X): ##STR14## The formanilide (X) may be reduced, for instance, with lithium aluminum hydride, borane, and the like, to the corresponding N-methylaniline of formula (XI): ##STR15## Compounds X and XI, when reacted with isocyanates yield formula (I) ureas, wherein R₁ is formyl or methyl, respectively.

Reacting the aniline (IX) with phosgene or thiophosgene yields the corresponding isocyanate or isothiocyanate (XII) which when reacted with the appropriately substituted alkoxyalkylamines affords formula (I) compounds, as shown below: ##STR16##

Formula (I) type compounds, wherein X is S, SO and SO₂, are prepared by a slightly different route, as shown below: ##STR17##

Accordingly, by the above route, m-nitrothiophenol is reacted with the appropriately substituted methanesulfonate ester of a phenylalkanol or the corresponding phenylalkyl halide of formula (IV) in the presence of an organic or inorganic base, preferably potassium t-butoxide and a solvent, such as DMF, in the temperature range of from about 20° C. to about 90° C., and preferably 60° C. to 80° C., for a period of time sufficient to essentially complete the reaction. The nitro compound (XIII) obtained by the above reaction is then reduced with sulfurated sodium borohydride to afford the amine of formula (XIV) (Y≠NO₂). This amine is then reacted with phosgene to yield the corresponding isocyanate which reacts with the appropriately substituted alkoxyalkylamines to afford a compound of formula (I) wherein X is S. Oxidation of this compound leads to the corresponding sulfoxide or sulfone, respectively.

The following formula (I) compounds which are of interest can be prepared by one or more of the above-depicted routes:

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(3-phenylpropoxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(3-phenylbutoxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(1-methyl-3-phenylpropoxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(β-methylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(α-methylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-{3-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propoxy]phenyl}-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(3-methoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(4-chlorophenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(2,6-dichlorophenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-formyl-1-methoxy-3-[3-(phenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-3-methyl-3-[3-(phenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(phenethylsulfonyl)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(phenethylthio)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(2-benzoylethoxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-{3-[2-(2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)ethyloxy]phenyl}urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(phenacyloxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(β-hydroxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(β-chlorophenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(β-bromophenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(β-methoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(β-methylthiophenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(β-cyano-phenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(3-methylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(2-methoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(3-nitrophenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(2,4-dichlorophenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(2,6-dimethylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(3-cyanophenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(3-trifluoromethylphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(3-methylsulfonylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(4-formylaminophenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(2,4-dimethylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(β,4-dimethylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(α,4-dimethylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(4-methoxy-α-methylphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(4-methoxy-β-methylphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(3-methoxy-β-methylphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(β-ethyl-3-methoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(β-ethyl-4-methoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(β-ethyl-4-methylphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(β,β-dimethylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(α,β-dimethylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(3,3-diphenylpropoxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(2-methyl-3-phenylpropoxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(2-fluoro-3-phenylpropoxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(2-bromo-3-phenylpropoxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(2-methoxy-3-phenylpropoxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(2-cyano-3-phenylpropoxy)phenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

methanesulfonate of 3-[3-(4-hydroxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(4-propoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(4-ethoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(4-acetoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-{3-[4-(2-propynyloxy)phenethyloxy]phenyl}urea;

3-[3-(4-allyloxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-{3-[4-(carboethoxymethoxy)phenethyloxy]phenyl}-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(4-benzyloxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(4-methylcarbamoyloxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(4-t-butylcarbamoyloxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(3-nitrophenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(4-nitrophenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-{3-[3-(2-nitrophenyl)propoxy]phenyl}urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-{3-[3-(3-nitrophenyl)propoxy]phenyl}urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(β-methyl-4-nitrophenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(phenethyloxy)phenyl]thiourea;

3-[3-(4-methoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylthiourea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(4-methylphenethyloxy)phenyl]thiourea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(β-methylphenethyloxy)phenyl]thiourea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(β,4-dimethylphenethyloxy)phenyl]thiourea;

3-[3-(4-isopropenyl-β-methylphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(4-vinylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(β-methylcarbamoyloxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(β-methanesulfonylphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(β-carbomethoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(2,4,6-tribromophenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(2,4,6-trichlorophenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(2,4,5-trimethylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea;

3-[3-(2,4-dichloro-5-nitrophenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(4-acetylphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(4-difluoromethoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(4-trifluoromethoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea;

3-[3-(4-chlorodifluoromethoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]-1-methoxy-1-methylurea; and

1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(β-nitrophenethyloxy)phenyl]urea.

As stated above, formula (I) compounds of the present invention show excellent postemergence herbicidal activity coupled with good crop selectivity in the presence of barley, wheat, rice, sorghum, corn and soybeans.

In practice, the active compounds are generally formulated as dusts, dust concentrates, wettable powders, emulsion concentrates, flowable concentrates, and the like.

Dusts can be prepared by grinding about 1% to 15% by weight of active compound with about 99% to 85% by weight of an inert diluent, such as attaclay, montmorillonite, diatomaceous earth, kaolin, pumice, talc, and the like.

Dust concentrates are made in a similar fashion, excepting that percent by weight of active ingredient is increased to about 16% to 75% of the composition.

Wettable powders are prepared in the same manner as dust concentrates, but usually contain, in addition to the active ingredient and solid diluent, from about 1% to 5% by weight of a wetting agent, such as sodium isopropylnaphthalene sulfonate or the sodium salt of a sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensate, and from about 1% to 5% by weight of a dispersing agent, such as hydroxyethyl cellulose. A typical formulation would be 50% by weight of active ingredient, 2% of dispersing agent, 5% of wetting agent and 43% attapulgite.

Emulsion concentrates are prepared by dissolving 15% to 70% by weight of the compound in 85% to 30% by weight of a solvent, such as benzene, toluene, xylene, kerosene, 2-methoxyethanol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, formamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, methylformamide, and the like, and mixtures thereof. Advantageously, surfactants, such as polyoxyethylated vegetable oil or an alkyl phenoxy polyoxyethylene ethanol, are also incorporated in amounts of 1% to 5% by weight of said concentrate.

In using wettable powders, emulsion concentrates or flowable concentrates, the formulated material is generally dispersed in water and applied at the rate of from about 0.06 kg per hectare to about 2 kg per hectare to the plants, or to soil containing the seeds of said plants.

The invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be taken as being limitative thereof.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 1-Methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(4-methylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea

A mixture of 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methoxy-1-methylurea (3.50 g; 0.0178 mol), dimethylformamide (DMF; 150 ml) and potassium t-butoxide (2.0 g; 0.018 mol) is stirred for 30 minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere. Next, the 4-methylphenethyl ester of methanesulfonic acid (3.82 g; 0.018 mol) is added to the above, and the reaction mixture stirred for 21 hours at 65° C. The solvent (DMF) is then removed under vacuum, the residue shaken with ether (500 ml) and filtered. The ethereal solution is stripped to give 10 g of a tan solid. This solid is purified by column chromatography using basic alumina and hexane:ethyl acetate (1:1) eluent. The eluate is evaporated to afford 4.9 g of light yellow solid. The solid is recrystallized from a mixture of hexane and ethyl acetate (3:1) to afford 2.57 g of title product, melting point 108°-109° C.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of Alkoxyalkyl-phenylalkoxyalkyl Urea Compounds

By the method of Example 1, the compounds shown in Table I are prepared.

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR18##                                                                                          Melting                                                   Point                Recrystallization                                                                   Analysis                                             No.                                                                               U Y    Z AZ       °C.                                                                          Solvent   Calculated (%)                                                                         Found                              __________________________________________________________________________     1  H H    H CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2O                                                                      82-83                                                                               Methylcyclohexane-                                                                       C, 67.98                                                                               67.83                                                        ethyl acetate                                                                            H,  6.71                                                                                6.87                                                        (19:1)    N,  9.33                                                                                9.33                              2  H 4-OCH.sub.3                                                                         H CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2O                                                                      73-74                                                                               Methylcyclohexane-                                                                       C, 65.44                                                                               64.94                                                        ethyl acetate                                                                            H,  6.91                                                                                6.87                                                        (10:1)    N,  8.48                                                                                8.33                              3  H 4-CH.sub.3                                                                          H  CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2O                                                                     108-109                                                                             Hexane-   C, 68.77                                                                               68.53                                                        ethyl acetate                                                                            H,  7.05                                                                                7.31                                                        (3:1)     N,  8.91                                                                                8.86                              4  H 3-OCH.sub.3                                                                         H CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2O                                                                      58-59                                                                               Methylcyclohexane-                                                                       C, 65.44                                                                               65.39                                                        ethyl acetate                                                                            H,  6.71                                                                                7.02                                                        (9:1)     N,  8.48                                                                                8.52                                5                                                                               H H    H                                                                                 ##STR19##                                                                              60.5-62                                                                             Methylcyclohexane                                                                        C, 69.49 H,  7.37 N,                                                                   70.28 7.87 8.46                    __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 3 General Procedure for the Preparation of Esters of Methanesulfonic Acid

A solution of the appropriate alcohol (0.1 mol) and triethylamine (0.15 mol) in methylene chloride (150 ml) is rapidly stirred, chilled to -15° C. and methanesulfonyl chloride (0.11 mol) added at a rate to maintain the reaction temperature below -10° C. After the addition is completed, the solution is stirred for 30 minutes in the cold and then at room temperature for 2 hours. Next, the methylene chloride solution is separated, washed with ice-cold water, ice-cold 10% hydrochloric acid, saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, saturated brine, and then dried over sodium sulfate. Finally, the appropriate ester is isolated by evaporating the methylene chloride solution under vacuum.

Esters of methanesulfonic acid prepared by the above procedure are listed in Table II below, together with their physical data, when such is available.

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR20##                                                                                           Melting                                                  Point                 Analysis                                                 No.                                                                               Y    Z    A        °C.                                                                           Calculated (%)                                                                         Found                                                                              Remarks                                __________________________________________________________________________     1  p-CH.sub.3                                                                          H    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                                                       50-52 C, 56.05                                                                               55.80                                                                  H,  6.58                                                                                6.71                                                                  S, 14.96                                                                               14.71                                        2                                                                               H    H                                                                                    ##STR21##                                                                              straw oil                                                                            C, 56.05 H,  6.58 S, 14.96                                                             56.12  6.76 15.18                            3                                                                               p-Cl H    CH.sub.2CH.sub.2                                                                        40-44 C, 46.05                                                                               46.50                                                                  H,  4.73                                                                                4.89                                                                  S, 13.66                                                                               13.60                                                                  Cl, 15.11                                                                              15.32                                      4  H    H    (CH.sub.2).sub.4                                                                        straw oil                                                                            C, 57.87                                                                               58.70                                                                  H,  7.07                                                                                7.36                                                                  S, 14.05                                                                               13.75                                      5  p-F  H    CH.sub.2CH.sub.2                                                                        brown oil                                                                            C, 49.53                                                                               49.82                                                                  H,  5.08                                                                                5.04                                                                  S,  8.73                                                                                8.60                                                                  P, 14.69                                                                               14.69                                        6                                                                               H    H                                                                                    ##STR22##                                                                              amber oil         Lit. J.O.C. 38(8) 1518 (1973)            7                                                                               H    H    (CH.sub.2).sub.3                                                                        amber oil                                                                            C, 56.04                                                                               55.98                                                                  H,  6.54                                                                                6.71                                                                  S, 14.96                                                                               14.94                                      8  H    H    (CH.sub.2).sub.5                                                                        amber oil                                                                            C, 54.48                                                                               54.72                                                                  H,  7.49                                                                                7.86                                                                  S,  13.23                                                                              13.08                                      9  H    H    CH.sub.2CH.sub.2                                                                        amber oil         Lit. J.O.C. 38(8)                                                              1518 (1973)                            10 p-OCH.sub.3                                                                         H    CH.sub.2CH.sub.2                                                                        yellow oil                                                                           C, 52.15                                                                               51.49                                                                  H,  6.13                                                                                5.92                                                                  S, 13.93                                                                               13.36                                        11                                                                              H    H                                                                                    ##STR23##                                                                              straw oil                                                                            C, 57.87 H,  7.07 S, 14.05                                                             57.23  7.14 12.96                            12                                                                              H    H                                                                                    ##STR24##                                                                              brown oil                                                                            C, 57.87 H,  7.07 S, 14.05                                                             57.91  7.19 13.97                            13                                                                              p-NO.sub.2                                                                          H    CH.sub.2CH.sub.2                                                                        80.5-82.5         J.O.C. 38(8)                                                                   1518 (1973)                                                                    Lit. 80-81° C.                  14 p-OCH.sub.3                                                                         m-OCH.sub.3                                                                         CH.sub.2CH.sub.2                                                                        yellow oil                                                                           C, 50.75                                                                               50.42                                                                  H,  6.20                                                                                5.74                                                                  S, 12.32                                                                               12.23                                        15                                                                              H    H                                                                                    ##STR25##                                                                              brown oil                                                                            C, 57.87 H,  7.07 S, 14.05                                                             58.03  7.21 13.86                            16                                                                              H    H                                                                                    ##STR26##     C, 58.87 H,  7.07 S, 14.05                                                             58.17  7.38 13.88                            17                                                                              3-Cl 4-Cl CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                                                       orange oil                                                                           C, 40.16                                                                               40.28                                                                  H,  3.75                                                                                3.95                                                                  S, 11.91                                                                               11.75                                                                  Cl, 26.35                                                                              26.35                                      18 2-Cl 6-Cl CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                                                       64-67 C, 40.16                                                                               40.57                                                                  H,  3.75                                                                                3.94                                                                  S, 11.91                                                                               11.68                                                                  Cl, 26.35                                                                              26.21                                      19 3-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                                                       light C, 52.15                                                                               51.97                                                            orange oil                                                                           H,  6.13                                                                                6.19                                                                  S, 13.93                                                                               13.70                                      20 2-Cl 4-Cl CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                                                       oil   C, 40.16                                                                               40.35                                                                  H,  3.75                                                                                3.82                                                                  S, 11.91                                                                               11.70                                                                  Cl, 26.35                                                                              26.16                                      21 4-CH.sub.3 O                                                                        H    CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2                                                              41-43 C, 54.08                                                                               54.06                                                                  H,  6.60                                                                                6.82                                                                  S, 13.13                                                                               14.27                                      __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 4 Esters of Methanesulfonic Acid

By the method of Example 3, the following esters of methanesulfonic acid can be prepared:

2,4-dimethylphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

2-methoxyphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

4-hydroxyphenethyl alcohol bis(methanesulfonate);

2,4,6-tribromophenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

2,4,6-trichlorophenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

2,6-dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

2,4,5-trimethylphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

2,4-dichloro-5-nitrophenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

4-acetylphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

4-difluoromethoxyphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

4-chlorodifluoromethoxyphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

β-chlorophenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

β-fluorophenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

β-methoxyphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

β-cyanophenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

β-methanesulfonylphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

β-methylthiophenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

β-nitrophenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

β-trifluoromethylphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

2-formamido-3-phenylpropan-1-ol methanesulfonate;

2,3-dichloro-3-phenylpropan-1-ol methanesulfonate;

2-methoxy-3-phenylpropan-1-ol methanesulfonate;

4-carboethoxyphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

4-isopropenyl-β-methylphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

4-vinylphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

4-allylphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

N-methylcarbamic acid ester of 3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropan-1-ol methanesulfonate;

3-acetoxy-3-phenylpropan-1-ol methanesulfonate;

3-methyleneoxycarboxymethyl-3-phenylpropan-1-ol methanesulfonate;

3-methanesulfonyl-3-phenylpropan-1-ol methanesulfonate;

β-carbomethoxyphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

2-cyano-3-phenylpropan-1-ol methanesulfonate;

2-chloro-3-phenylpropan-1-ol methanesulfonate;

β-methoxy-4-methylphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

β-chloro-4-methoxyphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

4-methyl-β-nitrophenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

β,4-dimethylphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

β,4-dimethoxyphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate;

α,4-dimethylphenethyl alcohol methanesulfonate; and

3-(4-methoxyphenyl)butan-1-ol methanesulfonate.

EXAMPLE 5

The postemergence herbicidal activity of the compounds of the present invention is demonstrated by the following tests, wherein a variety of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants are treated with test compounds dispersed in aqueous acetone mixtures. In the tests, seedling plants are grown in separate cups for about two weeks. The test compounds are dispersed in 50/50 acetone/water mixtures containing 0.5% TWEEN®20, a polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate surfactant of Atlas Chemical Industries, in sufficient quantity to provide the equivalent of about 0.063 kg to 2.0 kg per hectare of active compound when applied to the plants through a spray nozzle operating at 2.81 kg/cm² pressure for a predetermined time. After spraying, the plants are placed on greenhouse benches and are cared for in the usual manner, commensurate with conventional greenhouse practices. Two weeks after treatment, the seedling plants are examined and rated according to the rating system provided below. The data obtained are reported in Table III below, wherein it can be seen that the compounds of the present invention selectively control broadleaved weeds in the presence of crops.

    ______________________________________                                         RATING SYSTEM                                                                                      % Control                                                  Rating:             (Compared to Check)                                        ______________________________________                                         9 - Complete kill   100                                                        8 - Approaching complete kill                                                                      91-99                                                      7 - Good herbicidal effect                                                                         80-90                                                      6 - Herbicidal effect                                                                              65-79                                                      5 - Definite injury 45-64                                                      4 - Injury          30-44                                                      3 - Moderate effect 10-29                                                      2 - Slight effect    6-15                                                      1 - Trace effect    1-5                                                        0 - No effect       0                                                          X - Missing data    --                                                         ______________________________________                                    

The above rating scale is based upon a visual observation of plant stand, vigor, malformation, size, chlorosis, and overall plant appearance as compared with a control.

A rating of "X" is given if effects on plant growth caused by chemical treatment cannot be clearly determined as a result of disease, failure to germinate or grow or where the plants were not present in a particular test at a particular rate because of shortage of plant material.

    ______________________________________                                         Plant Abbreviations                                                            Code     Common Name  Scientific Name                                          ______________________________________                                         BA       Barnyardgrass                                                                               Echinochloa crusgalli                                    FO       Green Foxtail                                                                               Setaria viridis                                          WO       Wild Oats    Avena fatua                                              CB       Cocklebur    Xanthium pensylvanicum                                   JW       Jimsonweed   Datura stramonium                                        LA       Lambsquarters                                                                               Chenopodium album                                        MG       Morningglory Ipomoea spp.                                             MU       Mustard      Brassica kaber                                           PI       Pigweed      Amaranthus retroflexus                                   RW       Ragweed      Ambrosia artemisiifolia                                  VL       Velvetleaf   Abutilon theophrasti                                     BY       Barley       Hordeum vulgare                                          CN       Corn         Zea mays                                                 RI       Rice         Oryza sativa                                             SO       Sorghum      Sorghum bicolor                                          SY       Soybeans     Glycine max                                              WH       Wheat        Triticum aestivum                                        ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE III                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Evaluation of the Postemergence Herbicidal Activity of Compounds of the        Invention                                                                      In the Presence of Agronomic Crops                                             __________________________________________________________________________                Rate                                                                               Plant Species                                                   Compound   kg/ha                                                                              BA FO WO CB JW LA MG MU PI                                                                               RW VL BY CN RI                                                                               SO SY                                                                               WH                 __________________________________________________________________________     1-methoxy-1-methyl-                                                                       2.0 4  7  7  9  9  9  9  9  9 9  9  6  9  6 9  9 8                  3-[3-(phenethyloxy)-                                                                      1.0 3  5  6  9  9  9  9  9  9 9  9  3  7  3 8  9 4                  phenyl]urea                                                                               0.50                                                                               1  3  3  9  1  9  9  9  9 9  9  2  9  2 6  7 2                             0.25                                                                               0  1  1  9  1  9  9  9  9 9  3  1  4  1 3  8 1                             0.125                                                                              0  1  0  9  0  9  9  8  9 7  9  0  1  0 2  3 1                             0.063                                                                              0  0  0  9  0  9  3  7  8 6  2  0  1  0 1  2 0                  1-methoxy-1-methyl-                                                                       2.0                                                                 3-[3-(4-methylphen-                                                                       1.0 1  0  3  9  9  9  9  9  9 9  8  0  4  2 0  2 0                  ethyloxy)phenyl]urea                                                                      0.50                                                                               0  0  1  9  9  8  9  9  8 9  8  0  7  1 0  1 0                             0.25                                                                               0  0  0  9  0  8  9  9  7 6  7  0  2  0 0  1 0                             0.125                                                                              0  0  0  9  0  6  3  9  0 6  6  0  1  0 0  1 0                             0.063                                                                              0  0  0  3  0  6  9  5  0 6  0  0  0  0 0  1 0                  1-methoxy-1-methyl-                                                                       2.0 2  4  6  9  9  9  9  9  9 9  9  3  9  1 9  9 3                  3-[3-(4-methoxyphen-                                                                      1.0 1  3  2  9  9  9  9  9  9 9  9  2  5  2 8  7 2                  ethyloxy)phenyl]urea                                                                      0.50                                                                               1  3  1  9  2  9  9  9  9 9  9  0  4  1 3  3 0                             0.25                                                                               1  1  0  9  X  9  9  9  9 7  6  0  3  0 2  2 0                             0.125                                                                              0  0  0  9  0  9  9  7  9 6  6  0  2  0 0  1 0                             0.063                                                                              0  0  0  9  0  3  6  7  0 6  6  0  0  0 0  0 0                  __________________________________________________________________________                Rate                                                                               Plant Species                                                   Compound   kg/ha                                                                              BA FO WO CB JW LA MG MU PI                                                                               RW VL BY CN RI                                                                               SO WY                                                                               WH                 __________________________________________________________________________     1-methoxy-1-methyl-                                                                       2.0 4  9  1  9  9  9  9  9  9 9  9  0  6  0 1  9 0                  3-[3-(3-methoxyphen-                                                                      1.0 4  6  1  0  9  9  9  9  9 9  9  0  9  2 9  9 0                  ethyloxy)phenyl]urea                                                                      0.50                                                                               1  1  0  X  9  9  9  9  9 8  9  0  9  4 1  9 0                             0.25                                                                               0  0  0  0  0  9  9  9  9 2  9  0  0  3 9  0 0                             0.125                                                                              0  0  0  0  0  9  0  0  9 0  9  0  0  0 9  0 0                             0.063                                                                              0  0  0  0  0  3  0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                  1-methoxy-1-methyl-                                                                       2.0 X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X X  X  X  X  X X  X X                  3-[3-(β-ethylphen-                                                                   1.0 4  6  0  0  9  9  9  9  6 8  9  0  1  2 9  9 0                  ethyloxy)phenyl]urea                                                                      0.50                                                                               0  0  0  0  6  9  9  9  4 9  9  0  0  0 4  0 0                             0.25                                                                               0  0  0  0  6  9  9  9  4 3  9  0  X  0 0  0 0                             0.125                                                                              0  0  0  0  2  9  0  9  0 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                             0.063                                                                              0  0  0  0  0  2  0  8  0 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                  __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 6 Preemergence Herbicidal Activity

The preemergence herbicidal activity of the compounds of the present invention is exemplified by the following tests in which the seeds or propagating organs of a variety of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants are separately mixed with potting soil and planted on top of approximately 2.5 cm of soil in separate cups or planted on soil surface and covered with approximately 1.25 cm of soil. After planting, the cups are sprayed with the selected aqueous acetone solution containing test compound in sufficient quantity to provide the equivalent of about 0.06 to 2.0 kg per hectare of test compound per cup. The treated cups are then placed on greenhouse benches, watered and cared for in accordance with conventional greenhouse procedures. Three to five weeks after treatment, the tests are terminated and each cup is examined and rated according to the rating system set forth in Example 5. The data obtained are reported in Table IV below, wherein it can be seen that the compounds of the invention selectively control broadleaved weeds in the presence of crops when applied preemergence.

                                      TABLE IV                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Evaluation of the Preemergence Herbicidal Activity of Compounds of the         Invention                                                                      In the Presence of Agronomic Crops                                                        Rate                                                                               Plant Species                                                   Compound   kg/ha                                                                              BA FO WO CB JW LA MG MU PI                                                                               RW VL BY CN RI                                                                               SO SY                                                                               WH                 __________________________________________________________________________     1-methoxy-1-methyl-                                                                       2.0 3  6  7  8  9  9  4  9  9 3  9  0  0  0 0  0 2                  3-[3-(phenethyloxy)-                                                                      1.0 1  2  7  0  9  9  0  9  9 0  9  0  0  0 0  0 6                  phenyl]urea                                                                               0.50                                                                               0  0  7  0  9  9  0  8  9 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                             0.25                                                                               0  0  7  0  9  8  0  8  9 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                             0.125                                                                              0  0  4  0  9  7  0  1  3 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                             0.063                                                                              0  0  4  0  9  2  0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                  1-methoxy-1-methyl-                                                                       2.0 1  0  0  0  9  9  0  9  9 1  0  0  0  3 0  0 0                  3-[3-(4-methylphen-                                                                       1.0 0  0  0  0  0  9  0  9  9 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                  ethyloxy)phenyl]urea                                                                      0.5 0  0  0  0  0  9  0  9  9 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                             0.25                                                                               0  0  0  0  0  9  0  4  9 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                             0.125                                                                              0  0  0  0  0  9  0  0  8 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                             0.063                                                                              0  0  0  0  0  2  0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                  1-methoxy-1-methyl-                                                                       2.0 8  9  7  9  9  9  9  9  9 7  9  0  0  1 0  1 0                  3-[3-(4-methoxyphen-                                                                      1.0 2  1  1  1  9  9  2  9  9 1  1  0  0  4 0  0 0                  ethyloxy)phenyl]urea                                                                      0.50                                                                               0  0  0  0  9  9  0  9  9 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                             0.25                                                                               0  0  0  0  9  9  0  2  7 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                             0.125                                                                              0  0  0  0  9  7  0  0  4 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                             0.063                                                                              0  0  0  0  0  4  0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                  1-methoxy-1-methyl-                                                                       2.0 7  8  8  1  9  9  1  9  9 8  1  0  0  0 0  0 0                  3-[3-(3-methoxyphen-                                                                      1.0 1  4  1  0  6  9  0  9  9 1  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                  ethyloxy)phenyl]urea                                                                      0.50                                                                               0  1  0  0  0  9  0  8  8 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                             0.25                                                                               0  0  0  0  0  8  0  4  8 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                             0.125                                                                              0  0  0  0  0  3  0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                             0.063                                                                              0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0 0  0 0                  __________________________________________________________________________ 

We claim:
 1. A method for the selective control of broadleaf weeds in the presence of agronomic crops, said method comprising: applying, as the active ingredient, to said weeds or to soil containing the seeds of said weeds a herbicidally-effective amount of a compound of the formula: ##STR27## wherein X is selected from O, S, SO and SO₂ ; Q is O or S; Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₂ -C₅ alkenyl, C₂ -C₅ alkynyl, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, CH₃ S, CH₃ SO₂, CF₃, CN, NO₂, NH₂, C₁ -C₃ alkylamino, NHCHO, ##STR28## OCF₂ H, OCF₃ and OCF₂ Cl; Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, halogen, CF₃ and NO₂ ; U is hydrogen, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, C₁ -C₃ alkoxy and halogen; A represents a C₂ -C₆ carbon chain which may be saturated or unsaturated, and is optionally monosubstituted with C₁ -C₃ alkyl, C₁ -C₃ alkoxy, phenyl, CF₃, CH₃ S, CN, halogen, OH, O, NO₂, NHCHO, ##STR29## or is optionally disubstituted wherein one of the substituents is selected from the hereinabove-named groups and the second substituent is selected from C₁ -C₄ alkyl and halogen; or A is a moiety represented by the formula, ##STR30## wherein n is an integer from 1 to 5; R is C₁ -C₄ alkyl; R₁ is selected from hydrogen, CH₃ and CHO; R₂ is selected from hydrogen, C₁ -C₂ alkyl, C₃ alkenyl and C₃ alkynyl; R₃ is selected from C₁ -C₃ alkyl, C₃ alkenyl and C₃ alkynyl, with the proviso that one of R₁ and R₂ must be hydrogen or CHO; R₄ and R₅ each are hydrogen or C₁ -C₃ alkyl; R₆ is C₁ -C₃ alkyl.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein X is O; Q is O; Y and Z each are selected from hydrogen, Cl, F, C₁ -C₄ alkyl, C₁ -C₄ alkoxy, and NO₂ ; U is hydrogen; A is saturated C₂ -C₄ carbon chain optionally monosubstituted with C₁ -C₂ alkyl, CH₃ O, CH₃ S, CH₃ O₂ S, CN, Br, Cl, F, NHCHO and ##STR31## R₁ is hydrogen or CHO; R₂ and R₃ each are C₁ -C₂ alkyl; R₄ and R₅ each are hydrogen or C₁ -C₃ alkyl.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein X is O; Q is O; Y is selected from hydrogen, CH₃ and Cl; Z is selected from hydrogen, CH₃, CH₃ O, Cl and F; U is hydrogen; R₁ is hydrogen; R₂ and R₃ each are CH₃ ; A is selected from --CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --, ##STR32##
 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound is 1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(phenethyloxy)phenyl]urea.
 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound is 1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(4-methylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea.
 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound is 1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(4-methoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea.
 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound is 1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(3-methoxyphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea.
 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said compound is 1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(β-ethylphenethyloxy)phenyl]urea.
 9. A method according to claim 1 comprising applying to the foliage of said weeds 1-methoxy-1-methyl-3-[3-(β-ethylphenethyloxy)-phenyl]urea in amounts of from 0.063 kg. per hectare to 2.0 kg. per hectare.
 10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the agronomic crop is selected from one or more of the group consisting of wheat, barley, rice, corn, sorghum and soybeans. 